Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
508. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education the number of schools in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin in temporary accommodation; the length of time each school has been in that accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12050/21]
View answer509. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education the number of schools in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin operating partially or fully out of prefabs; the length of time each school has been partially or fully in this style of accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12051/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 508 and 509 together.
There are 4 schools renting accommodation, either temporary prefabricated accommodation or an area within an existing permanent building in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin. Of the schools renting permanent buildings one has been renting since 2009 and the other since 2019 and in respect of the rented prefabs one has been renting since 2015 and the other since 2018.
While it is the policy of my Department to ensure a high standard of permanent accommodation for all schools, in the context of a rapidly increasing school population over the last decade or more it is sometimes necessary to make use of temporary accommodation to meet the accommodation needs of schools.
The changing landscape in relation to enrolments means that accommodation requirements can vary between short-term, medium-term and long-term and this can impact on the type of accommodation solution put in place to address same.
My Department is taking an integrated approach with the prefab replacement through the replacement of prefabs as part of all large-scaled projects. In addition since mid-2018 all schools approved for additional accommodation under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme are also having necessary prefabs replaced as part of their additional accommodation project. This integrated approach helps to streamline the delivery of projects for schools
